As their father chased them with laughter adown the winding walk,

Pelting them with red roses so gay this golden even’,

Did a murmur reach him through their childish talk,

Of our baby’s voice that is singing now in Heaven?

Had that child lived, I should not have been so lone;

Sitting here in my vacant room he would come to me,

A great tall lad, with his eyes of honest brown;

Cheering my desolate heart with his sympathy.

Though sometimes, I am glad he is safe within